Four days after he was suspended for the season for violations of baseball’s drug agreement, Alex Rodriguez met with the media for the first time at a promotional appearance in Mexico and said the ban will allow him to “rest mentally and physically.”

Rodriguez also expressed gratitude for the support he’s received from everyone from his Yankees teammates to “retired players and players that are in the Hall of Fame” and voiced sadness that his suspension ordeal has dominated headlines in recent days.

“It’s a very sad story,” said the three-time AL MVP, who appeared somber as he spoke in Spanish at a press conference to open a gym he’s affiliated with in Mexico City. “And we hope we can take it out of the newspapers and I hope we can start concentrating on all the good things the big league is doing with all the young players moving forward.”

Rodriguez told the media that he wouldn’t address his suspension and other legal issues, but briefly talked about his future now that he’s facing a season away from baseball.

“I think that in the year 2014, the league could have done me a favor because I’ve played 20 years without a timeout,” Rodriguez said in his first public comments since his suspension appeal was rejected last week. “I think 2014 will be a year to rest mentally and physically prepare myself for the future and begin a new chapter of my life.”

As far as what happens when the suspension ends in 2015, Rodriguez said, “I have 3 years left on my contract starting in 2015 and I hope to play very well and finish my career in New York.”

Yeah, because, for the next 12 months, A-Rod is going to do the right thing, lay low, and keep himself out of the spot-light and trouble, right? Sure…